Understanding Allama Iqbal’s Shikwa and Its Answer

Understanding Allama Iqbal’s Shikwa and Its Answer

Today, I am presenting two famous poems to you: Shikwa and Jawab-e-Shikwa. Both are among the finest and most powerful long poems written by Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal. In Shikwa, Iqbal appears to speak directly to Allah, mentioning the difficulties faced by Muslims and expressing complaints. But in reality, he is addressing those Muslims who mistakenly believe that, just like in the past, they still dominate the world—or will continue to do so in the future—despite the fact that Muslims everywhere are facing decline and hardship. Many people live under this great misunderstanding.

Iqbal recited Shikwa in 1911 at a meeting of Anjuman-e-Himayat-e-Islam, where it received immense appreciation.

Both poems are written in a similar style. In each stanza, if there are three verses, the first two explain an idea, and the third verse concludes it. Shikwa has 31 stanzas, which means 93 verses. Jawab-e-Shikwa has 36 stanzas, meaning a total of 108 verses.

For example, if complaint number 14 appears in Shikwa, its answer does not necessarily appear in stanza 14 of Jawab-e-Shikwa. It may appear elsewhere.

Since Shikwa has 31 stanzas and Jawab-e-Shikwa has 36, both poems follow different structures. However, most complaints in Shikwa do have direct answers in Jawab-e-Shikwa.

Explanation of Selected Verses from Shikwa – Part 1

Fikr-e-farda na karun, mahw-e-gham-e-dosh rahun…

Iqbal begins the poem in a bold tone, saying:

Why should I spend my life losing benefits and focusing only on past sorrows? Why should I ignore the future? This poem is one of Iqbal’s strongest works, so bold that some people even accused him of disbelief. Because of this criticism, he later wrote Jawab-e-Shikwa elsewhere. elsewhere..

Hamnawā! main bhi koi gul hun ke khamosh rahun…

Iqbal says:

Why should I remain silent like a flower and only listen to the cries of others? I, too, have the right to express myself.

Shikwa Allah se khākom badahan hai mujh ko…

He says:

God has given me the courage and ability to speak. That is why, with humility, I dare to express my complaint even before my Creator.

Jawab-e-Shikwa – Explanation of First Lines

Dil se jo baat nikalti hai, asar rakhti hai…

In Jawab-e-Shikwa, Allah responds:

Words spoken with sincerity have power. Even if spoken on earth, they rise up to the heavens. Truth always reaches high places.

Iqbal says that the intensity and sincerity of his love gave his complaint great strength—it reached the heavens and shook the angels.

Further Verses from Shikwa (Translation)

Peer-e-Gardoon ne kaha sun ke…

The guardian of the heavens asked: “Is someone there?”

The stars said: “Someone is on the highest throne.”

The moon said: “Someone on earth is calling.”

The galaxy said: “Someone hidden is crying out.”

Iqbal then explains that if you understand his complaint, it is not disrespect—it is simply the honest cry of a human being who was removed from Paradise.

Words spoken with sincerity have power. Even if spoken on earth, they rise up to the heavens. Truth always reaches high places.

Iqbal says that the intensity and sincerity of his love gave his complaint great strength—it reached the heavens and shook the angels.

Further Verses from Shikwa (Translation)

Peer-e-Gardoon ne kaha sun ke…

The guardian of the heavens asked: “Is someone there?”

The stars said: “Someone is on the highest throne.”

The moon said: “Someone on earth is calling.”

The galaxy said: “Someone hidden is crying out.”

Iqbal then explains that if you understand his complaint, it is not disrespect—it is simply the honest cry of a human being who was removed from Paradise.